"If you will step inside for a moment, Mr. Pratt," she went on, "there
are one or two little things I should like to point out to you. The
cupboard in Sybil's room--"

"Mother," Sybil protested, "Mr. Pratt has nothing to do with these
matters."

"On the contrary," Jacob replied mildly, "I am just the person who has
to do with them. You are paying a very good rent, Mrs. Bultiwell, and
any little thing the Estate can do to make you more comfortable--"

"Come this way, Mr. Pratt," Mrs. Bultiwell interrupted firmly....

Sybil was still watering the garden when he came out. She waited until
he had exchanged cordial farewells with Mrs. Bultiwell, and then
summoned him to her. Mrs. Bultiwell was still standing on the
threshold, smiling at them, so she was compelled to moderate her
anger.

"What have you been doing in there with mother?" she demanded.

"There were one or two little things my clerk of the works has
neglected," he answered. "I promised to see to them, that's all."

"You know perfectly well that we arranged for the house as it was."

"I don't look upon it in that way," he said. "There are certain
omissions--"

"Oh, be quiet!" she interrupted angrily. "And the garden, I suppose,
should all have been prepared for us?"

"Certainly it should have been all dug up," he declared, "and not only
that little bit where you have your roses."

"Of course," she answered sarcastically, "and asparagus beds made, I
suppose, and standard roses planted!"

"I think, Miss Bultiwell," he ventured, "that you might allow me the
privilege of having the place made as attractive as possible for you."

She glanced back towards the house. Mrs. Bultiwell, well pleased with
herself, was still lingering. Sybil conducted their visitor firmly
towards the gate.

"Mr. Pratt," she said, "I will try and not visit these things upon
you; but answer me this question. Have you given my mother any
indication whatever of your--your ridiculous feelings towards me?"

"Your mother gave me no opportunity," he replied. "She was too busy
talking about the house."

"Thank goodness for that, anyhow! Please understand, Mr. Pratt, that
so far as I am concerned you are not a welcome visitor here at any
time, but if ever you should see my mother, and you should give her
the least idea of what you are always trying to tell me, you will make
life a perfect purgatory for me. I dislike you now more than any one I
know. I should simply hate you then. Y